Tag Archives: Chicago Sky

The WNBA Finals tips off on Sunday Sept. 7 at 3:30pm Eastern on ABC between the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky.

By Charles Glover, Jr.

The WNBA Conference Finals both went the distance, providing an exciting matchup for the WNBA Finals. Starting Sunday, Sept. 7, the Finals will feature the Phoenix Mercury versus the Chicago Sky. The Sky are hoping to win the franchise’s first title while the Mercury are looking to add their third championship, winning it all in 07′ and ’09.

Brittney Griner was the first WNBA player to dunk in a playoff game. She hopes to win her first professional championship this year.

This is a quick turnaround for both teams as the Mercury and Sky had the first and second picks, respectively, in WNBA’s 2013 draft. The Mercury’s selection of Brittney Griner was a no-brainer and is paying immediate dividends as she was awarded WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2014 season.

Diana Taurasi is seeking her third championship with the Phoenix Mercury, the last coming in 2009.

Adding Griner to seasoned All-Star Diana Taurasi has been a boon to the team and helped Taurasi transition from the top scorer in the league to the assist leader this season. The Mercury defeated last year’s champions, the Minnesota Lynx with two convincing wins in the conference finals leading many to make them the favorites to win it all this year.

Brittney Griner (r) and Elena Della Donne (l) were picks number 1 and 2 respectively in the 2013 WNBA draft.

Meanwhile, the Sky are being led by their own tandem of a second year phenom and All-Star veteran. Elena Della Donne has quickly become one the WNBA’s best scorers and has had challenging match ups with two of WNBA’s best players during the first two rounds in the Atlanta Dream’s Angel McCoughtry and the Indiana Fever’s Tamika Catchings.

Sylvia Fowles (c) will have to be an overpowering interior presence in order for the Sky to get past Griner and the Mercury.

The veteran leadership and savvy play of last season’s WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Sylvia Fowles has enabled the Sky to keep games close and grind out tough victories. The Sky evened their series with a narrow double-overtime win in game 2 against the Fever, before closing it out with a blowout win in game 3.

If the Sky are successful and win the championship, their leading scorer Della Donne will be the likely candidate for MVP.

This best of five series should go the distance as both are evenly matched. They both have talented perimeter players and an intimidating interior defensive presence. The series will likely come down to which team can better execute down the stretch of close games.

The 6’8″ Griner will have her hands full with the 6’6″ Fowles. The deciding factor will be either the 6’0″ Taurasi’s ability to use her size to create for others or how the 6″5″ Della Donne can create mismatches with her ability to create for herself. Look for the Sky to win this series in 5 games as they take advantage of their length advantage on the front line.–OnPointPress.net–

Elena Della Donne leads the Chicago Sky to the Eastern Conference Finals with 34 points in game 3 on Tuesday, August 26.

By Charles Glover, Jr.

The Chicago Sky overcame a 20-plus point deficit to stun the Eastern Conference favorite Atlanta Dream and eliminate them with an 81 – 80 victory Tuesday night. The Sky will advance to the second round of the playoffs, winning the series 2 – 1, both victories occurring in Atlanta.

Elena Della Donne (l) and Angel McCoughtry (r) both had fantastic performances throughout the 3 game series.

The star of the game was the Sky’s Elena Della Donne who went off for a playoff career high 34 points, 17 in the fourth quarter, including the game winning shot with 8.2 seconds left in the game. The Sky outscored the Dream 30 – 13 in the final quarter to seal the upset victory. Della Donne shared the credit after the thrilling win stating, “When we were in huddles and I was looking at my teammates, everyone had that look in their eyes like we’re not ready to leave, we’re not ready to go home.”

McCoughtry was able to lead her Dream past the Sky in game 2 but fell just short in game 3.

The Dream’s Angel McCoughtry, who led her team to a game 2 win with 39 points, was only able to muster 17 points in the series finale. McCoughtry’s game winning attempt bounced several times on the rim before eventually clanking off in the end. Dream head coach Michael Cooper characterized game 3 like boxing saying the game was Like a Muhammed Ali – Joe Frazier fight…sometimes your great players can will you to win. Just like in game 2 where Angel [McCoughtry] brought [the victory] to us, Della Donne came in tonight and brought [the victory] to them.”

The loss brings to a close what was a promising beginning for a Dream team that has been close to winning a championship the past few seasons. The emergence of rookie Shoni Schimmel in the WNBA All-Star game seemed to be the peak for the team this season as they look to regroup and build on this season’s progress.

WNBA superstar Tamika Catchings is hoping to lead the Indiana Fever back to the WNBA Finals.

Meanwhile, the Sky advance to the Eastern Conference Finals to take on the Indiana Fever, led by former league MVP Tamika Catchings. The Fever dealt with injuries all season long but finally seem to be healthy. While the Della Donne versus Catchings matchup will be key in the series, the impact the Sky’s Sylvia Fowles on the interior and the Fever’s Briann January on the perimeter will play pivotal roles in the outcome of this best of 3 series.

Diana Taurasi (l) and Brittany Griner (r) hope to lead the Mercury to an upset over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx.

The Western conference finals will feature the defending champion Minnesota Lynx and the star-studded Phoenix Mercury. Brittany Griner and Diana Taurasi look to lead the Mercury into Minnesota and upset Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, and company as their best of 3 series begins Friday night.

Maya Moore (l) and Siemone Augustus aim to defend their championship and make a 4th consecutive WNBA Finals.

Of the four teams remaining, the Sky is the only team that has not yet played in the WNBA Finals. The Fever are looking to capture their franchise’s 2nd title (’12). The Mercury are seeking their franchise’s 3rd title (07′ and ’09). The Lynx are also looking to add a 3rd franchise title (’11 and ’13) and make their fourth consecutive Finals appearance. Any WNBA Finals matchup should make for more exciting playoff action.–OnPointPress.net–